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Scott Morrison confirms he will attend Glasgow climate summit

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will go to the Glasgow Climate Change Conference later this month.

Mr Morrison told a press conference this afternoon that he had confirmed his attendance at the UN climate summit, which begins on November 1, overnight.

The prime minister had faced criticism for having not confirmed his attendance earlier, previously flagging further COVID-19 quarantine as a roadblock.

READ MORE: Prince Charles' warning to Scott Morrison on climate change

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

"The government will be finalising its position for me to take to the summit, prior to my departure, over the next fortnight," he said.

"Net zero was an outcome that I outlined at the beginning of this year consistent with our Paris commitments."

But hitting net zero was not the government's only goal, he said.

"The global changes that are happening in our economy as a result of the response to climate change have a real impact and they will have a real impact here in Australia," he said.

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"It is not just about hitting net zero.

"That's an important environmental goal but what's important is that Australia's economy goes from strength to strength and the livelihoods and the lives of Australians, particularly in rural and regional areas, are able to go forward with hope and with confidence."

Australia has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent by 2030, from 2005 levels, a commitment that sits well below those made by the United States, European Union and United Kingdom, among other developed nations.

The government in December last year technically "updated" its NDC, as it was obliged to do by the Paris Agreement before a July 31 deadline, but it did not actually increase its target to cut emissions.

The point of the deadline was for countries to raise their climate ambitions.

Australia's current pledges do not even put it on track to meet the requirements to keep global warming within 2 degrees Celsius, let alone 1.5, according to Climate Action Tracker, a group that monitors climate policies around the world.

The watchdog said that if the whole world followed Australia's policies, temperatures would rise by between 2 and 3 degrees.

– with CNN

headline

International flight caps lifted for Aussies returning to NSW

International flight caps on Australian citizens, residents and their families returning to Australia will be lifted for New South Wales, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

Mr Morrison today said he welcomed the NSW Government's decision to scrap mandatory quarantine for vaccinated overseas arrivals from November 1.

The decision to axe quarantine requirements means Australians in NSW will be permitted to leave Australia and return.

LIVE UPDATES: Victoria reacts to NSW international border opening news

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

READ MORE: How NSW's scrapping of quarantine for international arrivals will work

Flight caps will remain in other states where hotel quarantine is still required.

"This is a further sign of the national plan coming into effect and allowing Australians to start reclaiming so many of the things that have been taken from them throughout this pandemic," Mr Morrison said.

The parents of Australian residents and citizens will also be able to come to Australia.

"I know that will be very welcome news to Australians right across the country who were hoping to be reunited with their family members, their parents who are overseas," Mr Morrison said.

"In New South Wales's case, it means those family members will be able to come into Sydney if they are vaccinated and not have to quarantine under the arrangement that the premier has announced today."

The lift of the cap on overseas arrivals will for now be limited to Australian citizens, residents and their families.

Tourists and international students will not be allowed into Australia from November 1 as the NSW Government had hoped.

"It is about Australian residents and citizens first," Mr Morrison said.

"The Commonwealth government has made no decision to allow other visa holders, student visa holders and international visitors."

When asked when tourists and students would be let in, Mr Morrison replied: "Not yet".

"The (NSW) Premier understands that is a decision for the Commonwealth government not for the state government," he said.

"I will progress steadily but at the same time carefully and I welcome this first step."